2025 Excellence awards
L-R: Claire McCollum, host, Barry Neilson OBE, CITB NI (sponsor), Paul English, Harvey Group (representing Matthew Culbert), and Nick Knowles, host.
L-R: Claire McCollum, host, Mark Spence, CEF Chief Executive, Martin Collins and Nick Knowles, host.
CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE
CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR
HIGHLY COMMENDED: MATTHEW CULBERT, HARVEY GROUP Dedication, curiosity, hard work, high standards and a willingness to support his peers have all contributed to highly commended recognition for Matthew Culbert. An electrical apprentice with Harvey Group, Matthew has acquired a versatile skill set working across varied projects from schools and offices to pharmaceutical warehouses and high-end retail outlets. Delivering first and second fixing and working with various containment systems, he has also acquired hands-on experience with high and extra-low voltage systems. Entrusted by Harvey Group to assist in testing electrical installations, he has completed a City & Guilds Level 3 Initial and Periodic Electrical Inspection and Testing qualification. Quick to grasp new concepts, he excels independently and in a team setting, offering guidance to fellow apprentices and earning the respect of colleagues and clients alike. Jonnie Clarke, MD, Harvey Group, said, “Throughout his apprenticeship, he has consistently met or exceeded expectations, showing steady improvement in both his technical skills and professional development.” Ben Ford, Tutor, SERC, said, “Matthew is always at the forefront of the class, demonstrated by his consistent attendance and his efforts to engage in class discussions. Not only does he work hard for himself, but he also helps his classmates when they are struggling to understand something that he has grasped immediately.”
WINNER: MARTIN COLLINS, H&A GROUP
CEF has recognised an individual who is contributing to the future of the industry, but has also helped define its past, as Outstanding Contributor for 2025. Boasting a wealth of technical knowledge gained over more than 30 years, H&A Group Contracts Director Martin Collins’ career has been characterised by consistent growth, strong leadership and mentorship. With H&A Group since its creation in 1993, he is a highly-valued member of the team who has helped shape a culture defined by loyalty, innovation and people-first values. Martin has helped steer the business through two of its most significant transformations, the transition from oil to gas in the 1990s and now the shift towards low-carbon, renewable energy systems. In the Group’s early years, Martin worked closely with late founder Hugh McWilliams to modernise heating provision across Northern Ireland, exhibiting a spirit of foresight and adaptability which has remained central to his approach ever since. More recently, under his leadership, H&A Group has evolved into a specialist in renewable energy systems including air-source and hybrid heat pumps, solar PV, battery storage and EV charging solutions. While Martin’s day-to-day role is a blend of strategic oversight and practical problem-solving, he is also an industry advocate, calling for greater investment, regional funding equality and clearer policy to support the decarbonisation agenda.
T: +44 (0)28 9034 2444 - E: enquiries@harveygroup.co.uk www.harveygroup.co.uk
T: +44 (0)28 7962 7220 - E: info@thehagroup.com www.thehagroup.com
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